Winter in New England can can be torture. Having lived here my entire existence, I’ve bore witness to cold that felt like my skin was being mutilated. With over 3,033 homeless in Connecticut this same feeling is being felt throughout our communities. So much so, we have individuals that rather "Go To Jail" than be on the street.
There is no reasonable explanation as to why our state has not stepped up to make the changes necessary to end this crisis. Every year there are funds allocated to organizations to end homelessness and yet every winter people are still homeless. The amount of real estate available for rehabilitation is vast. We have neighborhoods that have been leveled, with no complete plans to revitalize the area like Long River Village. Grants have been awarded to a few nonprofits to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring for families, youth and individuals by advancing the coordinated statewide homelessness response system. Homelessness has decreased 32% since 2018 according to the 2019 PIT. Progress has been incremental, but impactful, we are joining the fight and will be pushing for faster outcomes. Most recently the funds awarded from Jeff Bezo's to the organization's across America should enhance the services. In Connecticut, CCEH and The Covenant House have received funding to combat homelessness. We not only need to provide low-income housing, but also Employment Development and Financial Education.
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